Sunset hikes

A short walk out, the whole show, and back at your car before dark. Times are estimates at a relaxed pace; give yourself extra buffer, especially with kids or in a group.

1. SE Anderson Lake via Cherrywood trail 1.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:05 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:05 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car8:03 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 8:03 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.6 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 83 min of walking

2. Lake Smetana & Riley Lake Park Beach via Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail 1.7 mi away

   Leave by 6:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:38 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:31 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:31 PM — 6 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 18 min of walking

3. Mount Gilboa–Bush Lake Loop, 11 lakes 0.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:38 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:38 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:31 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:31 PM — 6 min before dark.

   0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 17 min of walking

4. Osprey Viewpoint–Goose Nest Pond, 8 lakes 0.6 mi away

   Leave by 6:22 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:22 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:46 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:46 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.9 mi to the viewpoint · 110 ft climb · 49 min of walking

5. Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Viewpoint & Lake Smetana via Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:29 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:29 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:39 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:39 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   0.7 mi to the viewpoint · 35 min of walking

6. Bryant Lake Park Swimming Beach 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:03 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:03 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car8:06 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 8:06 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.8 mi to the viewpoint · 88 min of walking

7. SW Anderson Lake & Lake Idlewild 1.8 mi away

   Leave by 6:23 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:23 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:47 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:47 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 48 min of walking

8. Neill Lake & Round Lake Beach 2.9 mi away

   Be there by 6:48 PM

   1. Be there6:48 PM
   2. Sunset7:08 PM
   3. Dark7:37 PM

   Your car is right there — dark at 7:37 PM.

   The viewpoint is right at the trailhead

9. Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail 3.3 mi away

   Leave by 6:43 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:43 PM
   2. Sunset7:07 PM
   3. Head back7:22 PM
   4. At your car7:26 PM
   5. Dark7:36 PM

   Back at your car by 7:26 PM — 10 min before dark.

   0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 8 min of walking

10. Mirror Lake via Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail 3.3 mi away

    Leave by 6:43 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:43 PM
    2. Sunset7:07 PM
    3. Head back7:22 PM
    4. At your car7:27 PM
    5. Dark7:36 PM

    Back at your car by 7:27 PM — 10 min before dark.

    0.2 mi to the viewpoint · 8 min of walking

11. Goose Nest Pond–Frog Pond Loop, 5 beaches 0 mi away

    Leave by 6:41 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:41 PM
    2. Sunset7:07 PM
    3. Head back7:22 PM
    4. At your car7:29 PM
    5. Dark7:36 PM

    Back at your car by 7:29 PM — 7 min before dark.

    0.3 mi to the viewpoint · 14 min of walking

12. Hyland Lake–Frog Pond, 5 sights 0.2 mi away

    Leave by 6:36 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:36 PM
    2. Sunset7:07 PM
    3. Head back7:22 PM
    4. At your car7:33 PM
    5. Dark7:36 PM

    Back at your car by 7:33 PM — 3 min before dark.

    0.4 mi to the viewpoint · 22 min of walking

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